Battling self isolation blues
- Marta
- Apr 6, 2020
- 8 min read
Hello lovely people ♥️
I vowed to myself that this blog would be more of a relaxed personal project than a strict scheduled thing, but I still managed to feel pressure to post or guilt if I wasn’t writing. With all this free time at home, I suddenly feel pressure to be doing EVERYTHING that I said I would ever do. I feel like we probably all feel like that about something right now. Pressure to try and be more productive, to use this time “effectively”, to learn something new, to self-improve. I haven’t been moving despite having a home pole, I haven’t started any uni work, and on top of all that I’ve just been feeling incredibly low and unmotivated.
This isn’t a productivity contest, these are really unfamiliar challenging times, and no-one has it all figured out.
But that’s completely understandable. And if you’re feeling the same way you’re not alone at all. This isn’t a productivity contest, these are really unfamiliar challenging times, and no-one has it all figured out. If you’ve sat around in your pyjamas playing video games, don’t worry, me too. If you’re constantly swaying between crying and worrying about what happens next to feeling sort of okay, me too. Just because I’m posting something on my blog, or a nice post on my Instagram, doesn’t mean I’m spending my whole time finishing all my projects or learning a new language or having the best time. In fact, this is one of the very few ‘productive’ things I’ve done so far. Of course, it’s okay to have fun and keep yourself busy during this time. If you’ve managed to do that, that’s amazing! But rest is good too, allowing yourself to adjust is crucial, accepting and releasing your emotions is important, adapting to this is hard. Be kind to yourself, give yourself time, and if you need any help please don’t be afraid to reach out for it. You’re not alone, everything will be okay.
As someone who struggles with mental health issues, I want to highlight how important it is that we all look after our own mental health and make sure we support others during this time. This recent post on Mindicle, a fantastic blog on mental health written by Lauren who is the sweetest soul, highlights how self-isolation and the anxiety we feel around the coronavirus can amplify the mental health crisis. I wanted to make a list of activates that you can do during this time to keep yourself and loved ones safe, happy and busy. Different things work for everyone, but perhaps this will give you some new ideas if you’re running out.
*I'm aware I’m in a very privileged position in that I have a garden, subscription services, family that I’m isolating with and a lot that I may take for granted. I tried really hard to make this list adaptable and affordable. Please make sure to reach out to those who live alone, are essential workers, are immunosuppressed, have a mental illness or are struggling in any way. We all need to help each other as much as we can.*
For you:
If you're feeling anxious or restless, try the free trial of the headspace app for some gentle guided meditation.
If you're worried about yourself and are feeling overwhelmed, arrange a therapy appointment. Therapists can work remotely from home over skype or phone call, if you can afford this option.
You can also call Samaritans on 116 123 if you’re feeling low. You can also make a remote GP appointment if you’re worried about your mental health, they're not just there for your physical health.
If your or someone else’s life is in immediate danger, call 999.
Volunteer for the NHS if you can, this can help you feel more productive if you need that as well as helping others.
Try out new recipes! A fun easy one is this whipped coffee that’s been going around, or if you’re not a fan of coffee maybe try some brownies. Follow your favourite restaurants on Instagram and Facebook, especially the independent ones. A lot of them are posting recipes you can follow at home, @pomkitchen_ on Instagram is posting some really yummy stuff.
Reduce your social media/news intake. It’s important to be informed, but too much negative information can make you feel overwhelmed and anxious.
Play with some makeup, follow some Youtube tutorials or try a fun challenge.
Have a spa night! Complete with a hot bubble bath or shower, moisturizer, face masks, and body scrubs. These can be made at home if you don’t have any store-bought ones.
If you have pets, try training them. It’s good for keeping their minds busy too, so they don’t start climbing the walls if they’re only out once a day.
Make yourself some playlists for when this is all over. A new driving playlist, running playlist, pole dance playlist, gym playlist. Stole this wonderful idea from Sarah, the owner of Off The Ground Pole dance Studio.
Make your bed super cosy and binge your favourite shows.
Feel like exercising? Try some stretches or strength building exercises. A lot of personal trainers and studios are offering skype sessions, Facebook or Instagram lives, pre-filmed tutorials etc. Including Sheffield’s Off The Ground! You can also try Youtube videos, like this split stretch video.
Tidy and organize all those things you’ve been meaning to.
Make yourself a schedule or to-do list for every day, or week. Don’t go overboard and make it too strict or unrealistic. Make it a mix of gentle self-care and challenges.
Start journaling, maybe just in your planner or diary. Make a note of your gratitude’s for the day, this could help you feel more positive. If you decide to take on journaling your thoughts and emotions, you might start noticing patterns in your behavior helping you recognize positive and negative triggers.
Make use of that daily exercise. You don’t need to go jogging or get your stamina up if that’s not your thing. Fresh air, vitamin D, and a change of scenery can do wonders for the brain. A relaxed walk will do just fine.
Try out some free yoga tutorials online. Yoga with Adriene is very good for this!
Give the free trial of Disney Plus a go if you're a Disney fan.
Make yourself a bucket list of all the things you want to do as soon as you can leave the house.
For you and your loved ones:
Host a virtual quiz night. Make or choose a quiz, group call you friends and let the games begin. Even better with snacks.
Play some online multiplayer games with your friends. This can be a pricey, but if it’s in your budget it can be really fun. Maybe you still have your Minecraft account from when you were 13? Get yourself and your friends on a server!
Have a watch party with your friends.
Call your grandparents, friends, family.
Ask your loved ones how they’re doing. Even though we can’t do anything about the situation we’re in, we can offer others empathy, comfort, and support.
Bring out the board games if you’re self-isolating with others.
DIY or crafts, you could do this with your friends while video calling and see what you both come up with.
If someone you know isn’t feeling well, mentally or physically, offer to do some shopping for them. Maybe craft something for them (preferably something they can sanitise) and leave it on their doorstep.
Check your neighborhood Facebook groups to see if anyone needs help with their grocery shop or just need someone to call and chat to.
If someone you know is struggling with a mental illness, read up about it on the Mind website. Use this knowledge to try to better understand what they’re going through. If you’re living with them and/or close to them, get clued up on the mental tools and techniques they use to help them. Listen to them and try to help them apply these methods if they want you to do that.
Set up a date night with your partner. If you’re isolated together choose a theme, decorate and set the scene, cook some yummy food, dress up and enjoy the evening. Maybe you’ll recreate Paris in your living room, or your favourite restaurant. If you’re not isolating together, you can try this over video call.
Send your family and friends some uplifting messages. Maybe suggest plans you can make for when this is over, ask them for any movie recommendations, check up on them.
Do some of those fun nomination challenges floating around or make a tik tok together, laughter and being silly can be the best way to stay busy and have fun.
For the men in your life, if you want to point them towards a good mental health resource show them The Calm Zone. Help services aren’t gendered, but The Calm Zone have multiple wonderful mental health campaigns like #project84 to raise awareness about male suicide rates.
Try a skill exchange. If someone you’re self-isolating with is good at cooking, maybe have them teach you in exchange for you teaching them how to draw. This could be done online too!
Make some donation packages for charities. Donate items or money to your favourite causes if you can, share help lines and charities to raise awareness. You can do this with whoever you’re isolating with, or even run you own online campaign with your friends.
Host your own talent show with family and friends, online or in person depending on your isolation conditions.
If you’re with people you’re not usually used to spending long amounts of time with or you have different needs, e.g. house shares or university accommodation. Politely and openly communicate what you will need from this time and ask them what they need too. Maybe saving a Wednesday for some alone time, or asking if you can have the kitchen all to yourself on a Tuesday evening, or asking your room mates to turn down their music if you need some quiet time. Let those around you know your stressors before they build up, and allow them to do the same. This time will call for a lot of compromise for those who are sharing a living space.
Have a study group with your friends. Call while working on a project, even to just work quietly side by side, this might help motivate you if you’re struggling to work.
If you’re isolated with others, offer to make them some yummy food or cup of tea if they’re feeling down. Keep an eye out for people keeping quiet, distancing themselves, or even acting calm all of a sudden. You don’t need to know exactly what to say to cheer them up, sometimes just being there for them and listening is more than enough.
I know this can have a really horrible impact on everyone’s mental health, I know you will really miss your friends and no amount of journaling or group calling may be able to make it better, but these little things really do add up. I struggle implementing all of these too but I'm focusing on staying safe and staying inside for all the lovely things to come. If you're getting by for the sake of the first time of seeing your friends, for your family, the next pole dance class, or a concert or event you're really looking forward to that's okay, we need any and all the motivation we can get now. Don't beat yourself up if you're not baking or exercising or doing work every day. Please make sure to reach out for help if you need it. It's not a sign of weakness. My inbox is always open, you can even reach out to me on here in the 'contact' section.
Sending you all lots of love x
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